TWI551128B - Method and data processing apparatus for supporting simultaneous playback - Google Patents

Description

Method and data processing device supporting simultaneous playback

The present invention is related to television and, in particular, to techniques that support simultaneous playback of a plurality of television channels.

In recent years, various handheld mobile devices such as mobile phones and tablet computers have become increasingly popular, and have become an indispensable information receiving conduit for many consumers in their daily lives. In order to improve entertainment and sharing, some audio and video transmission standards have emerged, allowing handheld mobile devices to display screens to other large-sized display systems such as televisions and projectors. Among them, the most high-definition video and audio transmission standard Miracast ^TM is based on the wireless local area network, allowing electronic devices supporting this standard to share video images through wireless signals. According to this standard, in addition to the transmission of video images from the mobile device to the display of the television system, the television system can also transmit the television program images to the screen of the mobile device for viewing by the user through the portable handheld mobile device.

FIG. 1 shows a functional block diagram of the above transmission architecture to illustrate the signal correlation between a television system 100 and an electronic device 150. The tuner 11 is responsible for receiving television signals from the outside. When the user wishes to use the video playback device 12 to view a certain television channel, the relevant commands can be transmitted through a remote control or an external button (not shown) of the body of the television system 100. In response to the command, the processor 13 sets the tuner 11 to receive data in the frequency range associated with the television channel, and causes the signal processing unit 14 to extract the video data of the television channel from the output signal of the tuner 11. , by demodulation, decoding, image optimization and other processing. Subsequently, the video playback device 12 can receive and play the output signal of the signal processing unit 14. Receiving member 15 and the transport element 16 into the operating system according to Miracast ^TM transmission standard. As shown in FIG. 1, a signal transmission line is disposed between the signal processing unit 14 and the transmission element 16. When the receiving component 15 receives the request from the electronic device 150 to obtain the television program picture, the processor 13 controls the transmitting component 16 to transmit the output signal of the signal processing unit 14 to the electronic device 150.

The main disadvantage of this architecture is that the picture provided from the TV system to the handheld mobile device is exactly the same as the picture being played by the TV system itself. In other words, when the television system is playing a program of a certain television channel, the user of the handheld mobile device cannot select to watch the program of another television channel.

In order to solve the above problems, the present invention provides a method and a data processing apparatus for supporting simultaneous playback of a plurality of television channels.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, a data processing apparatus for supporting simultaneous playback of a plurality of television channels includes a first tuner, a second tuner, a processor, a receiving component, and a transmitting component. The first tuner generates a first television material transmitted through a first frequency range and provides the first television data to an internal playback device for playback. The second tuner generates a second television material that is transmitted through a second frequency range. The receiving component is configured to receive a data request from an external electronic device for a selected television channel. In response to the data request for the selected television channel, the processor controls the second tuner to generate the second television material containing the audiovisual material of the selected television channel. When the internal playback device plays according to the first television data, the transmitting component transmits the audio and video material of the selected television channel to the external electronic device for playing.

According to another embodiment of the present invention, a method for supporting simultaneous playback of a plurality of television channels is applicable to a data processing device including a first tuner and a second tuner. The method comprises the following steps: (a) generating, by the first tuner, a first frequency Passing a first television material; (b) providing the first television material to an internal playback device for playback; (c) generating, by the second tuner, a second television transmission through a second frequency range Data; (d) receiving a data request from an external electronic device for a selected television channel; (e) controlling the second tuner to generate the selected television in response to the data request for the selected television channel And (f) transmitting, when the internal playback device plays the first television data, the audio and video material of the selected television channel to the external electronic device for playing.

The advantages and spirit of the present invention will be further understood from the following detailed description of the invention.

100‧‧‧TV system

12‧‧‧Video player

14‧‧‧Signal Processing Unit

16‧‧‧Transmission components

200‧‧‧TV

21B‧‧‧Second tuner

23‧‧‧ Processor

25‧‧‧ receiving components

27‧‧‧Select components

210‧‧‧Data processing device

S51~S56‧‧‧ Process steps

S71~S77‧‧‧ Process steps

11‧‧‧ Tuner

13‧‧‧ Processor

15‧‧‧ receiving components

150‧‧‧Electronic devices

21A‧‧‧First Tuner

22‧‧‧Internal playback device

24‧‧‧Signal Processing Unit

26‧‧‧Transmission components

28‧‧‧Multiplexer

250‧‧‧External electronic devices

S61~S68‧‧‧ Process steps

Figure 1 shows a functional block diagram of a prior art transmission architecture to illustrate the signal correlation between a television system and an electronic device.

2 to 4 are functional block diagrams of a television in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

5 to 7 are flowcharts of a method of supporting simultaneous playback of a plurality of television channels in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

It should be noted that the drawings of the present invention include functional block diagrams that present a plurality of functional modules associated with each other. These figures are not detailed circuit diagrams, and the connecting lines therein are only used to represent the signal flow. Multiple interactions between functional components and/or procedures do not have to be achieved through direct electrical connections. In addition, the functions of the individual components are not necessarily allotted in the manner illustrated in the drawings, and the decentralized blocks are not necessarily implemented in the form of decentralized electronic components.

A specific embodiment of the present invention is a data processing device for supporting simultaneous playback of a plurality of television channels, and a functional block diagram thereof is shown in FIG. TV 200 contains one The data processing device 210 and an internal playback device 22. The data processing device 210 includes two tuners 21A, 21B, a processor 23, a signal processing unit 24, a receiving component 25 and a transmitting component 26. The televisions referred to herein cover a variety of devices that receive analog, digital and/or network television signals, such as set-top boxes, over-the-top TVs, mobile communication devices, and personal computers. In practice, the television 200 according to the present invention can exist independently, and can be added with other functions to become a multimedia system with a large system scale. The internal playback device 22 refers to a playback device disposed inside the television 200, and may include, but is not limited to, a screen and a sound amplification component.

In this embodiment, the first tuner 21A and the second tuner 21B each receive a television signal from outside the television 200. In practice, the television signals received by the tuners 21A, 21B can each be, but are not limited to, a digital television signal, a digital television signal, a cable television signal, or an analog wireless television signal. For example, the first tuner 21A can receive a digital TV signal, and the second tuner 21B can be responsible for receiving a digital cable signal. In another embodiment, the signal inputs of the tuners 21A, 21B are coupled together, that is, receive the same external television signal. The received signal frequency ranges of the first tuner 21A and the second tuner 21B are both controlled by the processor 23. It should be noted that the technique of changing the frequency range of the received signal of the tuner according to the requirements is known to those skilled in the art, and will not be described herein. Hereinafter, the output signal of the first tuner is one of the first television data originally transmitted through a first frequency range, and the output signal of the second tuner is a second television data originally transmitted through a second frequency range.

As shown in FIG. 2, the first tuner 21A is for mating with the internal playback device 22, and the second tuner 21B is for mating with the transport member 26. If the user wishes to use the internal playback device 22 to view a first television channel and transmit the relevant command through a remote control or external button (not shown) of the body of the television 200, the processor 23 that receives the command first determines the first television. Which frequency range the channel is associated with. In practice, data from several TV channels may be transmitted through the same frequency range. The relevant frequency range information of the television channel is usually disclosed in the information provided by the service provider, and the processor 23 can determine the frequency range of each television channel accordingly. Hypothesis The processor 23 determines that the first television channel is associated with a first frequency range, and the processor 23 controls the first tuner 21A to cause the first tuner 21A to obtain the first transmission through the first frequency range from the input television signal. TV information. The first television material may include audio and video material, subtitle data and other auxiliary information (such as an electronic program form) of several television channels.

The signal processing unit 24 is coupled between the first tuner 21A and the internal playback device 22. The processor 23 causes the signal processing unit 24 to extract the video and audio data of the first television channel from the first television data, and perform a program such as demodulation, decoding, or image optimization. In other words, the signal processing unit 24 may include, but is not limited to, a demodulation circuit, a decoding circuit, or an image processing circuit, and may also include a memory unit required for performing the signal processing. Subsequently, the internal playback device 22 can play the first television channel based on the output signal of the signal processing unit 24.

The receiving component 25 is configured to receive a data request from an external electronic device 250. It should be noted that although the connection between the receiving component 25 and the external electronic device 250 is shown as a solid line in FIG. 1, the signal can be transmitted wirelessly between the receiving component 25 and the external electronic device 250. For example, but not limited to, the receiving component 25 can be a wired network signal receiving port, a wireless network signal receiving port, an infrared receiver, or a Bluetooth receiver. The format of the data request sent from the external electronic device 250 will be related to the transmission protocol between the receiving component 25 and the external electronic device 250. In addition, the external electronic device 250 can be, but is not limited to, various handheld mobile devices (such as mobile phones, notebooks or tablets) with audio and video playback functions or fixed electronic devices (such as desktop computers, multimedia devices or another television). ).

When the user selects to play a second television channel by using the external electronic device 250, the external electronic device 250 sends a data request to the receiving component 25 for the data of the selected television channel. If the external electronic device 250 can obtain the relevant information of which frequency range the second television channel belongs to, the data request may be for the frequency range to which the second television channel belongs. Alternatively, the data request may be directed to the second television channel, and the processor 23 assists in determining the frequency range of the second television channel. Responding to information sent by the external electronic device 250 for a second television channel or a second frequency range to which the second television channel belongs The request, the processor 23 controls the second tuner 21B to obtain the second television material transmitted through the second frequency range. Similarly, the second television material may include audio and video data, subtitle data and other auxiliary information (such as an electronic program form) of several television channels.

If it is known that the external electronic device 250 has the ability to extract the video data of the second television channel from the second television data, the processor 13 can control the transmitting component 26 to directly transmit the second television data output by the second tuner 21B to the external electronic device. 250. Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 3, a picking element 27 may be further disposed between the second tuner 21B and the transporting member 26. The capturing component 27 is controlled by the processor 23, and is responsible for capturing video and audio data of the second television channel from the second television data, that is, filtering related data of other television channels. In this case, the transmission component 26 transmits to the external electronic device 250 which is the video material of the second television channel extracted by the capture component 27. In another embodiment, the processor 23 can control the capture component 27 to further retrieve data related to the second television channel (eg, subtitle data or electronic program listing) in addition to the audio and video material of the second television channel. For example, the processor 23 can control the capturing component 27 to extract the video data and the subtitle data of the second television channel from the second television data, and transmit the audio and video data of the second television channel and the subtitle data by using the transmitting component 26. Transfer to the external electronic device 250.

In another embodiment, a circuit similar to the signal processing unit 24 may be further disposed between the second tuner 21B and the transmitting element 26 in the television 200.

In another embodiment, the processor 23 further determines whether the data request sent by the external electronic device 250 includes information related to the second television channel (such as subtitle data or electronic program) other than the audio and video data of the second television channel. Form). For example, the processor 23 further determines whether the data request sent by the external electronic device 250 includes subtitle data requesting the second television channel. If the result of the determination is yes, in addition to the audio and video data of the second television channel, the processor 23 also controls the capturing component 27 to extract the subtitle data of the second television channel from the second television data to the transmitting component 26; otherwise The processor 23 only controls the capture component 27 to extract the video material of the second television channel from the second television material.

While the audio and video material of the first television channel is transmitted to the internal playback device 22, the transmission component 26 can be controlled to transmit the audio and video material of the second television channel to the external electronic device 250 for playback by the external electronic device 250. The connection between the transmission element 26 and the external electronic device 250 is shown as a solid line, but the transmission element 26 and the external electronic device 250 can also transmit signals wirelessly. By way of example and not limitation, the transmission component 26 can be a wired network signal transmission, a wireless network signal transmission, an infrared transmitter, or a Bluetooth transmitter. In practical applications, if the receiving component 25 and the transmitting component 26 are subject to the same communication standard, the receiving component 25 and the transmitting component 26 can also be integrated into a single component having both receiving and transmitting functions. If the receiving component 25 and the transmitting component 26 are implemented using a communication standard that allows for a longer transmission distance, the user of the external electronic device 250 can perform control such as switching the television channel farther from the television 200.

As can be understood from the above description, since the tuner 21A, 21B can be set to receive television data of different frequency ranges, and the internal playback device 22 plays the audio and video material of the first television channel obtained through the first tuner 21A, the external electronic device 250 The video material of the second television channel obtained through the second tuner 21B can be simultaneously played. In other words, the internal playback device 22 and the external electronic device 250 can each play television programs of different channels at the same time.

In the above embodiment, the processor 23 does not determine whether to control the second tuner 21B to obtain the second television data transmitted through the second frequency range according to whether the second frequency range is the same as the first frequency range. In other words, regardless of whether the foregoing second frequency range is the same as the first frequency range, the processor 23 controls the second tuner 21B to obtain the second television data transmitted through the second frequency range from the input television signal.

In the case where the signal input ends of the first tuner 21A and the second tuner 21B are coupled together (ie, receiving the same external television signal), if the receiving component 25 receives the second television from the external electronic device 250. For the data request of the second frequency range to which the channel or the second television channel belongs, the processor 23 may first determine whether the second frequency range is the same as the first frequency range, and accordingly determine whether the second tuner 21B needs to be driven to receive the signal. As shown in FIG. 4, the television 200 in this embodiment further includes a multiplexer 28. The two inputs of the multiplexer 28 are respectively The outputs of the tuner 21A, 21B, and under the control of the processor 23, select which input signal is to be supplied to the transmitting element 26. If the second frequency range is the same as the first frequency range, the processor 23 can control the multiplexer 17 to provide the output signal of the first tuner 21A to the transmitting element 26 without driving the second tuner 21B to receive the signal. In other words, the processor 23 can control the second tuner 21B to obtain the second television data transmitted through the second frequency range, and control the multiplexer 28, if it is determined that the second frequency range is different from the first frequency range. The output signal of the second tuner 21B is supplied to the transmitting element 26.

In practical applications, the processor 23 can be implemented using a variety of control and processing platforms, including fixed and programmable logic circuits, such as programmable logic gate arrays, integrated circuits for specific applications, microcontrollers, micro Processor, digital signal processor. In addition, the processor 23 can be designed to perform its tasks by executing processor instructions stored in a memory (not shown).

According to another embodiment of the present invention, a method for supporting simultaneous playback of a plurality of television channels is applicable to a data processing device including a first tuner and a second tuner. The method comprises at least the following steps: (a) generating, by the first tuner, one of the first television data transmitted through a first frequency range; and (b) providing the first television data to an internal playback device for performing Playing (c) generating, by the second tuner, one of the second television data transmitted through a second frequency range; (d) receiving a data request from an external electronic device for a selected television channel; (e) Responding to the data request for the selected television channel, controlling the second tuner to generate the second television material including the audiovisual material of the selected television channel; and (f) the internal playback device according to the first television When the data is played, the audio and video material of the selected TV channel is transmitted to the external electronic device for playing.

Figure 5 presents an example of a process using the above method. Step S51 is for determining whether a request to play a first television channel by using an internal playback device is received. If the decision result in the step S51 is NO, the step S51 is repeatedly executed. If the result of the determination in step S51 is YES, step S52 is performed to generate, by the first tuner, the transmission through the first television channel. One of the first frequency ranges transmits one of the first television data, and the first television data includes video and audio data of the first television channel. Subsequently, step S53 is to provide video and audio information of the first television channel to the internal playback device. Similarly, step S54 is to determine whether an external electronic device has received an information request for a selected television channel. If the decision result in the step S54 is NO, the step S54 is repeatedly executed. If the result of the determination in the step S54 is YES, the step S55 is executed to generate, by the second tuner, a second television material transmitted through the second frequency range, which includes the video material of the selected television channel. Subsequently, step S56 is to provide audio and video data of the selected television channel to the external electronic device. It should be noted that steps S51 to S53 and steps S54 to S56 are sub-flows in which two segments can be paralleled at the same time, or can be performed at different times.

Figure 6 presents another process example using the above method. The first steps S61 to S64 are the same as steps S51 to S54 in FIG. The difference is that if the result of the determination in step S64 is YES, step S65 is first performed to determine whether the second frequency range is the same as the first frequency range. If the result of the determination in the step S65 is no, the step S66 and the step S68 are performed, so that the second television data transmitted through the second frequency range is obtained by the second tuner, and the video and audio of the selected television channel are included therein. The data is transmitted to the external electronic device. If the result of the determination in the step S65 is YES, the step S67 and the step S68 are executed to obtain the second television data from the output of the first tuner, and transmit the video and audio data of the selected television channel contained therein to the outside. Electronic device.

FIG. 7 presents a variation example of steps S54 to S56. The first steps S71 to S72 are the same as steps S54 to S55 in FIG. Next, step S73 is to determine whether the data request sent by the external electronic device includes subtitle data requesting the selected television channel. If the result of the determination in the step S73 is YES, the step S74 and the step S75 are executed to extract the video data and the caption data of the selected TV channel from the second television data, and transmit the captured result to the external electronic device. Device. If the result of the determination in the step S73 is no, the step S76 and the step S77 are executed to extract the selected electric video from the second television data. Channel audio and video data, and the captured results are transmitted to the external electronic device.

It will be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art that, in Figures 6 and 7, the order of certain steps may be equivalently or concurrently performed without affecting the overall effect of the methods. In addition, various operational changes previously described in the introduction of the television 200 can also be applied to the methods presented in FIGS. 5-7, the details of which are not described again.

The features and spirit of the present invention will be more apparent from the detailed description of the preferred embodiments. On the contrary, the intention is to cover various modifications and equivalents within the scope of the invention as claimed.

200‧‧‧TV

21A‧‧‧First Tuner

21B‧‧‧Second tuner

22‧‧‧Internal playback device

23‧‧‧ Processor

24‧‧‧Signal Processing Unit

25‧‧‧ receiving components

26‧‧‧Transmission components

210‧‧‧Data processing device

250‧‧‧External electronic devices

Claims (12)

A data processing device for supporting simultaneous playback, comprising: a first tuner, generating a first television data transmitted through a first frequency range, and providing the first television data to an internal playback device for playing; a second tuner for transmitting a second television material through a second frequency range; a receiving component receiving a data request from an external electronic device for a selected television channel; a processor responsive to being selected for the The data request of the television channel does not control whether the second tuner generates the second television data including the audio and video material of the selected television channel according to whether the second frequency range is the same as the first frequency range; and transmitting And transmitting, when the internal playback device plays the first television data, the audio and video data of the selected television channel to the external electronic device for playing. A data processing device for supporting simultaneous playback, comprising: a first tuner, generating a first television data transmitted through a first frequency range, and providing the first television data to an internal playback device for playing; a second tuner for transmitting a second television material through a second frequency range; a receiving component receiving a data request from an external electronic device for a selected television channel; a processor responsive to being selected for the The data request of the television channel determines whether the second frequency range is the same as the first frequency range, and determines, according to one of the second frequency range and the first frequency range, controlling the second tuner to generate the included Selecting the second television data of the video data of the television channel; and transmitting a component, when the internal playback device plays the first television data, transmitting the audio and video data of the selected television channel to the external electronic device for playing. The data processing device of claim 1 or 2, wherein the transmitting component transmits the audio and video material of the selected television channel to the external electronic device for playing the transmission element. The piece transmits the second television material to the external electronic device for playing. The data processing device of claim 1 or 2, further comprising: a capturing component coupled between the second tuner and the transmitting component; wherein the processor responds to the selected television channel The data request controls the capturing component to extract the audio and video material of the selected television channel from the second television data, and the transmitting component transmits the audio and video material of the selected television channel to the external electronic device for playing The transmitting component transmits only the audio and video material of the selected television channel extracted by the capturing component to the external electronic device for playing. The data processing device of claim 1 or 2, wherein the processor further determines whether the data request sent by the external electronic device includes subtitle data requesting the selected television channel; the data processing device further comprises: a capturing component coupled between the second tuner and the transmitting component, controlled by the processor, for capturing audio and video data of the selected television channel from the second television data, and according to the processing As a result of the determination, the subtitle data of the selected television channel is selectively extracted from the second television material and provided to the transmitting component. The data processing device of claim 1 or 2, wherein the processor further determines whether the data request sent by the external electronic device includes an electronic program form requesting the selected television channel; the data processing device further includes a capturing component coupled between the second tuner and the transmitting component, controlled by the processor, for capturing audio and video data of the selected television channel from the second television data, and according to the As a result of the processor's determination, an electronic program listing for selectively extracting the selected television channel from the second television material is provided to the transmitting component. A method for supporting simultaneous playback is applicable to a data processing device including a first tuner and a second tuner, the method comprising: (a) generating, by the first tuner, transmission through a first frequency range First TV (b) providing the first television material to an internal playback device for playback; (c) generating, by the second tuner, one of the second television data transmitted through a second frequency range; (d) receiving from An external electronic device requests data for one of the selected television channels; (e) responsive to the data request for the selected television channel, not controlling whether the second frequency range is the same as the first frequency range The second tuner generates the second television material including the audio and video material of the selected television channel; and (f) transmitting, when the internal playback device plays the first television data, the video and audio information of the selected television channel to The external electronic device plays. A method for supporting simultaneous playback is applicable to a data processing device including a first tuner and a second tuner, the method comprising: (a) generating, by the first tuner, transmission through a first frequency range a first television material; (b) providing the first television material to an internal playback device for playback; (c) generating, by the second tuner, a second television material transmitted through a second frequency range; d) receiving a data request from an external electronic device for a selected television channel; (e) determining whether the second frequency range is the same as the first frequency range in response to the data request for the selected television channel, And controlling, according to the determination result that the second frequency range is different from the first frequency range, the second tuner to generate the second television data including the audio and video data of the selected television channel; and (f) the internal playback device When playing according to the first television data, the audio and video material of the selected television channel is transmitted to the external electronic device for playing. The method of claim 7 or 8, wherein transmitting the audio and video material of the selected television channel to the external electronic device for playing is to transmit the second television material to the external The electronic device plays. The method of claim 7 or 8, further comprising: capturing video and audio data of the selected television channel from the second television material; wherein transmitting the audio and video material of the selected television channel to the external electronic device The playing is performed by transmitting only the audio and video material of the selected television channel extracted by the capturing component to the external electronic device for playing. The method of claim 7 or 8, further comprising: (f1) determining whether the data request sent by the external electronic device includes subtitle data requesting the selected television channel; (f2) according to step (f1) As a result of the determination, the subtitle data of the selected television channel is selectively extracted from the second television data; and (f3) the subtitle data of the selected television channel is transmitted to the external electronic device. The method of claim 7 or 8, further comprising: (g1) determining whether the data request sent by the external electronic device includes an electronic program form requesting the selected television channel; (g2) according to the step (g1) a result of the determination, selectively extracting an electronic program listing of the selected television channel from the second television material; and (g3) transmitting the electronic program listing material of the selected television channel to the external electronic device.